Beasley Only DE Semifinalist for Lott Trophy

Clemson, S.C. –Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley has been named one of nine semifinalists for the 2014 Lott IMPACT Trophy.  The announcement was made by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation on Wednesday. The student-athletes represent the qualities embodied by the award – Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The nine semifinalists include Beasley, Landon Collins of Alabama, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu of Oregon, David Helton of Duke, Eric Kendricks of UCLA, Hau’oli Kikaha of Washington,  Jordan Richards of Stanford, Deterrian Shackelford of Mississippi and Leonard Williams of Southern California. Beasley was the only defensive end in the country to make the final nine and one of just two defensive linemen.  He and David Helton, a linebacker from Duke, were the only ACC players on the list. Beasley has eight sacks and, 12.5 tackles for loss and 22 total tackles to help lead a Clemson defense that ranks second in the nation in total defense.  The Tigers also lead the nation in fewest yards per play allowed (3.97), tackles for loss per game (10.2) and third down defense (.232) The graduate student leads all active FBS players in career sacks with 29, an all-time Clemson record. He also ranks third among active players in career tackles for loss with 43.5 Ballots to select the winner (and finalists) will be sent to more than 400 national voters, a panel that includes former coaches and players, members of the media, past Lott IMPACT Trophy winners and finalists as well as members of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the sponsors of the award. The four finalists will fly to Newport Beach for a black-tie gala at the Pacific Club on Dec. 14 where the winner will be announced.  The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation will make a $25,000 donation to the general scholarship fund of the winner’s university and $5,000 to each of the school’s of the runner-ups. In 10 years, the Foundation has now donated more than $1 million, including nearly $500,000 to universities throughout the country.